Nearly 19 Kilograms Of Dried Poppy Pods Containing Morphine Intercepted In Joint Federal–County Investigation
Monday, February 16, 2026, 7:00 A.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
WOOD-RIDGE, NJ.- Two Bergen County men have been charged with serious narcotics offenses following a multi-agency investigation that uncovered a large shipment of dried poppy pods containing morphine, a controlled dangerous substance, authorities announced.
Mark Musella, the Bergen County Prosecutor, confirmed the arrests of Karanjit Singh, 24, and Jagroop Singh, 25, both of Wood-Ridge, New Jersey. The men are charged with second-degree Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance.
The arrests stem from a coordinated investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotic Task Force, under the direction of Chief Jeff Angermeyer, in partnership with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Wood-Ridge Police Department.
According to prosecutors, during the month of January 2026, the HSI Airport Group and CBP intercepted a shipment containing approximately 19 kilograms of dried poppy pods that had been shipped from the Netherlands to the United States. The package was intended for delivery by a commercial courier service to a private residence in Wood-Ridge, New Jersey.
Investigators determined that the dried poppy pods contained morphine, a naturally occurring opiate classified as a controlled dangerous substance under New Jersey law. Based on that discovery, a joint narcotics investigation was initiated involving federal, county, and local law enforcement agencies.
On Friday, January 30, 2026, detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotic Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Wood-Ridge Police Department executed a court-authorized search warrant at the Wood-Ridge residence associated with the shipment. During the search, investigators identified the occupants as Karanjit Singh and Jagroop Singh.
Authorities reported that additional dried poppy pods were recovered from inside the residence, along with drug paraphernalia consistent with the distribution of controlled dangerous substances.
As a result of the investigation, both men were placed under arrest and charged with second-degree possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance. Following their arrests, Karanjit Singh and Jagroop Singh were remanded to the Bergen County Jail and made their first appearances in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack.
Court records indicate that Karanjit Singh was released pending further court proceedings, while Jagroop Singh remained in custody pending further court action.
Second-degree narcotics offenses in New Jersey carry significant potential penalties, including lengthy terms of imprisonment and substantial financial penalties if a conviction is secured.
Prosecutors emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing and noted that criminal charges are accusations only. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Editor’s Note:
This article was written by Art Fletcher, Executive Editor, and is based solely on official information released by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and participating federal and local law enforcement agencies. Criminal charges are allegations and do not constitute proof of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Englebrook Independent News will continue to monitor and report on this case as it progresses through the judicial system.
